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Users of benzodiazepine tranquillisers are exposed to a significantly higher
risk of developing pneumonia, a study has suggested.

Researchers said that long-term use of tranquillisers, including diazepam and
temazepam, is associated with a 54 per cent increased risk of developing the
condition.

More than one million people in Britain are believed to use this type of
tranquilliser regularly, which is prescribed for sleeplessness, anxiety and,
increasingly, alcohol withdrawal. Many doctors prescribe such drugs for long
periods, despite guidance that they should be used for only a few weeks
because of the high risk of dependency and damaging side-effects.